Latest news with #asylumSeeker
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (63) wielded knife at asylum seeker in Dublin migrant camp
A dog walker was sentenced to three months in jail after being convicted of brandishing a knife at an asylum seeker in a Dublin migrant camp. Raymond Lawless (63), of St Andrew's Court, was found guilty of the production of a knife at Sandwith Street, both in Dublin 2, on May 8th, 2023. Advertisement He denied the offensive weapon charge but was found guilty by Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court, handed a sentence, and fined €500. In evidence, the complainant said he was an asylum seeker who had been living in a tent in the encampment. He alleged: "This man came around chasing everybody in the place with a knife". He described it as a kitchen knife and recalled Lawless had his small Yorkshire terrier with him. Advertisement However, he said the accused threatened to return later with two bigger dogs to "chase us back to wherever we came from". The witness said he called gardaí to report the man coming into the camp to attack "me and two or three guys". He stated he tried to rescue his friends from Lawless. Cross-examined, he agreed he was intimidated not by the little dog with Lawless but because he said he would come back with two big dogs. Challenged over his knife claim, the defence barrister told the witness that Lawless had a trowel for cleaning up after his dog. Advertisement "It was a knife," he replied. Garda Alan Cawley obtained CCTV footage from the area and took statements. The video evidence was played during the hearing. Rejecting the accusation when he took the stand, Lawless insisted he just went out to walk his dog and had a small garden trowel to clean up after his pet. He said he vaguely remembered the day and denied having anything on him to frighten anyone. Advertisement Reacting to the complainant's evidence, Lawless said, "That's a complete lie; I deny that," adamant that he never went around carrying a knife. Questioned by the prosecutor, he confirmed he knew there was a refugee camp there because he lived across the road. He said he no longer had the trowel because the dog had died and got rid of all his pet's things. When told the item looked like a knife, he replied, "It may do, but I was not carrying a knife." He added that he never spoke to anyone in the camp. Advertisement Judge Hughes did not accept his account and said it was "abundantly clear" in the CCTV footage that he was carrying a silver, chrome and long knife distinct from a garden trowel. Ireland Minister for Justice 'confident' Government will h... Read More He noted that the accused had one previous conviction for assault causing harm, which led to a Circuit Court imposing an 18-month suspended sentence in 2012. The court heard he had been receiving cancer treatment. Judge Hughes imposed the fine and a nine-month sentence but suspended the final six months on condition he did not reoffend in two years, had no contact with the complainant, stayed away from Sandwith Street, and completed an anger-management course. Lawless was released after lodging appeal bail.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Asylum seeker blames rape of teenage girl on ‘cultural differences'
An Afghani asylum seeker tried to defend his rape of a 15-year-old Scottish schoolgirl by citing cultural differences and a language barrier. Sadeq Nikzad, 29, entered the UK illegally on a small boat in 2023, and later that year subjected the teenager to a terrifying sex attack in broad daylight in Falkirk town centre. Nikzad will serve nine years in custody followed by three years on licence, go on the sex offenders register and be deported at the end of his sentence. As the sentence was passed at Livingston High Court, Nikzad repeatedly shouted 'liar' at Mr Justice Morris. He was convicted of rape at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this year after a jury heard how he approached the girl and asked for her phone number and if she had a boyfriend. He then made sexual remarks towards the underage girl, before leading her to the rear of The Courtyard pub where he attacked and raped her. 'She was only 15' The girl said that she froze during the assault, while a woman who came across the victim shortly after said she had been 'in a daze'. The witness said: 'She looked stunned. I knew something had gone wrong. She came to me for comfort. She said she kept telling the guy she was only 15.' Janice Green, Nikzad's defence counsel, told an earlier hearing that her client had not been educated about the significant cultural differences between the UK and Afghanistan. Ms Green also said that the schoolgirl's evidence about language difficulties between them and the fact she had not told the accused 'No' meant the offence was 'not a typical stranger rape'. She added: 'There are no issues raised by him in relation to fear of persecution and the ultimate result is that he'll be deported at the conclusion of his sentence.' During sentencing, Mr Justice Morris told the accused through an interpreter: 'You've been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child, and I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.' 'Appalling, opportunistic attack' After sentencing, Katrina Parkes, procurator fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: 'This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business.' She added: 'I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children.' Det Insp Forbes Wilson, from the Forth Valley public protection unit, said: 'Nikzad's heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Asylum seeker who raped girl, 15, was not aware of 'cultural' differences, claims his lawyer
An Afghani asylum seeker who entered the UK illegally on a small boat kicked off in court after he was caged for raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl. Sadeq Nikzad, 29, who claimed he'd not been educated on 'cultural differences' repeatedly shouted 'liar' at judge John Morris, KC, after he was handed a 12-year extended sentence at Livingston High Court. The judge hurriedly left the bench as the accused, screaming and gesticulating wildly, was handcuffed by security guards before being led to the cells. Nikzad will serve nine years in custody followed by three years on licence, go on the sex offenders register and at the end of his sentence, be deported. The court heard that Nikzad entered the UK illegally two years ago, before subjecting the vunerable teenager to the terrifying oportunistic sex attack in Falkirk town centre in October 2023. He was convicted of rape at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this year after a jury heard how he approached the girl and asked for her phone number and if she had a boyfriend. He then made sexual remarks towards the underage youngster before leading her to the rear of The Courtyard pub where he attacked and raped her. The girl said that she froze during the assault while a woman who came across the victim shortly after said she had been 'in a daze'. The witness said: 'She looked stunned. I knew something had gone wrong. She came to me for comfort. She said she kept telling the guy she was only 15.' Nikzad's defence counsel Janice Green told an earlier hearing that her client had not been educated about the significant cultural differences between the UK and Afghanistan. Ms Green also said that the schoolgirl's evidence about language difficulties between them and the fact she had not told the accused 'No' meant the offence was 'not a typical stranger rape'. She added: 'There are no issues raised by him in relation to fear of persecution and the ultimate result is that he'll be deported at the conclusion of his sentence.' Passing sentence, judge Morris told the accused through an interpreter: 'You've been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child, and I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.' As he informed Nikzad that his name would also be placed on the sex offenders register, he lost his temper and started waving his arms in the air and shouting at his interpreter and the judge. After sentencing, Katrina Parkes, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: 'This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business.' She added: 'I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children.' Detective Inspector Forbes Wilson, from the Forth Valley Public Protection Unit, said: 'Nikzad's heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal.'
BBC News
09-06-2025
- BBC News
Trial set for murder of asylum hotel worker Rhiannon Skye White
A murder suspect accused of stabbing a hotel worker at a railway station will stand trial in October, a court Chol Majek, 19, told Wolverhampton Crown Court via an Arabic interpreter that he is "innocent" on Monday, after pleading not guilty to the murder of Rhiannon Whyte in December. Prosecutors allege that Mr Majek, understood to be an asylum seeker originally from South Sudan, used a screwdriver to attack Ms 27-year-old died in hospital three days after being found injured at Bescot Stadium station in Walsall last October. On Monday, Peter Glenser KC, defending, told the court that doctors did not feel Mr Majek was unfit to face Glenser said the defendant, formerly of Bescot Crescent in Walsall, claimed he was not present when the attack Majek spoke during the hearing via video link from HMP Manchester, and the interpreter said: "He is saying that he didn't do anything and that he is innocent."A pre-trial review is listed for September 5 and a trial is scheduled to begin on October 13. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Man who burned Koran and shouted 'f*** Islam' faces imminent terrorist plot to murder him, police warn
An asylum seeker who set fire to the Koran while shouting anti-Islamic slurs has been warned by police that he is the target of an 'imminent' terror plot to murder him, it emerged today. Hamit Coskun, 50, was woken by officers at 2am on Saturday and told his life was in danger, according to his lawyers. The officers, acting on behalf of the Metropolitan Police, are understood to have issued what is known as an Osman warning – a formal alert given when there is intelligence of a real threat to life but not enough evidence to make an arrest. Coskun, who is originally from Turkey and is now in hiding in the UK, was convicted last week for a racially aggravated public order offence after he burned a copy of the Islamic holy book during a protest in Knightsbridge on February 13. During the incident – which was filmed and went viral online – he shouted: 'F*** Islam' and 'Islam is religion of terrorism' as he held the Koran above his head and set it alight. The shocking act has sparked furious debate over freedom of speech, religious tolerance – and whether Britain is bringing back blasphemy laws through the back door. Coskun's supporters say the decision to prosecute him has now made him a target, and accuse the authorities of putting his life at risk. Speaking to the Mail this week Mr Coskun said: 'My social media accounts and phonebook are full of death threats from [people based in] cities like London and Birmingham. 'Like everyone else, I am afraid of being killed [and] I am very worried because I know that I may face security risks. This is the reality of the 'religion' we call Islam. 'It does not respect different beliefs and cultures, it does not recognize the right to life. But I am not a coward. I am ready to pay the price.' Social media posts sent to Mr Coskun and seen by the Mail include one that states: 'You should sacrifice yourself to Koran. You will die'. Another says: 'Hail to the courageous man who will make your corpse lie down on the ground.' In a blistering letter to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Lord Young of Norwood Green, General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, said: 'We consider that the risk to Mr Coskun's life was caused, in part, by the actions of your officers and the CPS. 'Your force had repeatedly suggested publicly that Mr Coskun had offended the 'religious institution of Islam'. Doing so has increased the risk to Mr Coskun from Islamic extremists.' Coskun, an atheist, says he fled Turkey two and a half years ago to escape persecution. He was living in Derby before going into hiding. After the conviction, Coskun issued a defiant statement, branding the decision an 'assault on free speech'. He said: 'As an activist, I will continue to campaign against the threat of Islam. 'Christian blasphemy laws were repealed in this country more than 15 years ago, and it cannot be right to prosecute someone for blaspheming against Islam. 'Would I have been prosecuted if I'd set fire to a copy of the Bible outside Westminster Abbey? I doubt it.' He also pledged to continue burning Korans and is planning a controversial UK tour, with stops in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Glasgow, where he intends to repeat the act. It is not clear whether this will go ahead before any potential appeal. A Met Police spokesperson confirmed: 'There remains an ongoing police investigation in relation to allegations of threats to kill against a 50-year-old male. Given the investigation is ongoing, we won't be able to comment further at this stage.' Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, wrote on social media: 'De facto blasphemy laws will set this country on the road to ruin. This case should go to appeal. 'Freedom of belief and freedom not to believe are inalienable rights in Britain. I'll defend those rights to my dying day.' Blasphemy laws were officially abolished in the UK in 2008. Coskun was prosecuted under the Public Order Act. Originally, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charged him with harassing the 'religious institution of Islam' – wording that sparked outrage and was later revised. The CPS insists Coskun was not prosecuted for burning the Koran itself, but rather for the combination of burning it, making inflammatory remarks, and doing so publicly. Katy Thorne KC, representing Coskun, argued that his protest was not motivated by hatred of followers of Islam, but criticism of the religion itself. However, District Judge John McGarva rejected that argument, telling the court: 'Your actions in burning the Koran where you did were highly provocative, and your actions were accompanied by bad language in some cases directed toward the religion and were motivated at least in part by hatred of followers of the religion.'
